Frame assembly for defining and opening for use in cabinet construction



y 5, 1964 s. BOHN 3,131,793

FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR DEFINING AN OPENING FOR USE IN CABINET CONSTRUCTIONFiled 001;. 29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Samuel Bohn ATTORNEY y 1964 s. BOHN 3,131,793

FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR DEFINING AN OPENING FOR USE IN CABINET CONSTRUCTIONFiled 001?. 29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV EN TOR.

Samuel Bohn ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,131,793 FRABE ASSEMBLY FORDEFINING AN OPENING FOR USE IN CABINET CONSTRUCTION Samuel Bohn, 696Crescent Ava, Plainfield, NJ. Filed Oct. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 233,728 4Claims. (Cl. 189--75) This invention relates in general to a frameassembly, and more specifically to a frame assembly for defining anopening in a cabinet construction or the like.

Heretofore, frame assemblies for outlining an opening in a cabinetconstruction generally consisted of a frame defined by rectangularlydisposed opposed side and end frame members that are fitted at thecorners with a miter joint. Generally such corners had to be securedeither by fasteners, such as nails, screws or the like, or clamps whichrequired nailing or screwing, or glue and the like. Therefore securingthe corners of the prior construction by any of the foregoing describedmeans required time, labor and material, each of which increased thecost of the finished product.

Another difiiculty that was encountered with frame constructions havingmitered or squared corners to define an opening was that it was dificultto clean in the corner crevices. This condition is especially aggravatedwhen such frame constructions are utilized in cabinets for storing orcontaining food-stuffs as for example in cold storage cabinets, meatcabinets, shelf cabinets, and the like. The accumulation of dirt, dustand particles of comestibles that became trapped in the corner crevicesof the prior squared corner frame constructions, and difl'icultyencountered in cleaning the same, tended to create unsightly andunsanitary conditions.

Therefore, an object of this construction is to provide a frameconstruction for framing an opening in a cabinet or the like that isrelatively simple in construction, easy to assemble and which ispositive in operation.

Another object is to provide a frame construction that can be readilycleaned at the corners thereof.

Still another object is to provide a frame construction that isconstructed and arranged so that the component parts thereof may besecurely fastened by cooperating friction-holding interlocking means.

Still another object is to provide a novel frame construction fordefining an opening in a cabinet or the like which is able toaccommodate sliding panels or doors.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision that the respectivemembers defining the ends and side members of the frame assembly framingan opening can be fabricated of readily extrudable or moldable materialwhich can be cut to desired length and which can then be securedtogether by the intermediary of a novelly constructed corner piececapable of frictionally interlocking with adjacent side and end framemembers.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings and description in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of the frame construction shownpartly in section.

FIG. 2 is a detail side elevation View of the top corner piece shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detail side elevation view of the lower corner piece of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the corner piece of FIG. 2.

FIG. FIG. 3.

FIG.

FIG. FIG. 3.

5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of 6 is a right end view ofFIG. 3.

. 1 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 8 is a sectionalview taken along line 88 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a slightly modified cornerpiece.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the frame assembly of thisinvention as utilized on a food storage cabinet.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1, the frame assembly20 of the instant invention. The frame assembly 29 is readily adapted toframe an opening 21 in a cabinet wall 22, as for example in a coldstorage cabinet and the like. The assembly 20 comprises a pair of sideframe members 23 and a pair of opposed end jamb members 24 which arerectangularly disposed, as shown in FIG. 10. In accordance with thisinvention the respective frame members 23, 24 are substantiallyidentical in cross-section. For this reason the frame members 23, 24 canbe readily fabricated from a continuous or elongated structural memberas for example one formed by extrusion or molding, the respective framemembers 23, 24 being then cut to a desired length from the continuouspiece. Consequently the frame members 23, 24 may be made of any suitablemetal or plastic material which can be extruded or molded to form.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the side and end jamb members 23, 24 isformed of a structural member having a web portion 25, 26 respectivelywhich has connected thereto along one longitudinal edge portion thereofa laterally and outwardly extending flange portion 25A, 26A. Connectedalong the other longitudinal edging of the respective web portions 25,26 is a front facing flange 25B, 268 which extends laterally to eitherside of the respective web portion. Intermediate the width of each webportion 25, 26 is a rail means 27, 28 respectively, which protrudesinwardly of the frame assembly 20.

In the illustrated embodiment the rail means 27 of the side framemembers defines a guide rail for accom- 'modating a sliding door orpanel 29 utilized to close the opening 21 defined by the frame assembly.The rail means 28 of the end members 24 define the jamb rails to assureproper sealing or seating of the door 29 in the closed position. Theembodiment illustrated employs a pair of such rail means 27, 28, eachaccommodating a door 23 capable of forming a closure for one-half of theopening as shown in FIG. 10. In this manner access may be had to thecabinet from either side of the opening, simply by sliding one of thedoors toward the opposite side of the frame assembly.

As shown in FIG. 1, the width of the web portion of the respective framemembers is such that the thickness of the cabinet wall 22 can beaccommodated between the rear flange 25A, 26A and the front facingflanges 25B, 26B thereof.

In accordance with this invention the respective frame members aresecured to one another by a novel corner construction. As shown, theadjacent side and end frame members 23, 24 in the assembled positionhave their adjacent ends spaced from one another and they are connectedby a corner piece 30. Each corner piece 30 comprises a front facingflange 31 and a rear flange 32 each of which is adapted to abut againstthe edges of the front facings 25B, 26B and rear flanges 25A, 26A of theadjacent frame members 25, 26. The corner piece flanges 31, 32 areinterconnected by an arcuate web portion 33. Intermediate the width ofthe web portion 33 of the corner pieces 36 are thickened portions 34which are arranged to join the rail portions 27, 23 of the adjacent sideand end frame members 23, 24.

Means are provided whereby the corner pieces 30 are frictionally securedto its associated end and side frame members 23, 24. As shown, each ofthe rail portions 27, 28 is provided with a groove 27A, 28A formed inthe rear surface of the respective rails. Projecting from each edge ofthe arcuate web 33 of the respective corner pieces 30 are lugs ortongues 35 which are adapted to be received in the respective grooves27A, 28A of the adjacent frame members 23, 24. In this manner afriction-tight interlocking connection is provided for maintaining theframe members 23, 24 and corners 39 in assembled position, as shown in'FIG. 1. Consequently the use of any extraneous fastening means such asnails, screws or glue is completely eliminated. In the assembled formthe front facings 25B, 26B, 31 of the respective frame members 23, 24and corner pieces 39 provide a clean, attractive frame about the opening21. Also because the corners 30 are defined by an arcuate web 33portion, cleaning is greatly enhance, and the sharp corner crevicesconducive to the accumulation of dirt and the like are completelyavoided.

FIG. 9 illustrates a slightly modified corner construction. In this formof the invention the corner piece 4% is the same as herein describedexcept that its front facing flange 41 is provided with an offsetshoulder portion 42 to define a seat for accommodating the butt end ofthe facing flanges 43, 44 of the adjacent side and end frame members 45,46. To accomplish this, the facing flange 41 of corner piece 40 may bemade somewhat thicker than the facing flange of corner pieces 30 ofFIGS. 2 and 3. Consequently, the recessed shoulders 42 of corner pieceprovides for overlapping of the marginal portions 41A, 41B of the cornerflange 41 over the facing flanges 43, 44 of the associated frame members45, 46. If desired the rear flange of corner piece (not shown) may besimilarly formed.

While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to aparticular embodiment thereof, it is to be appreciated that theinvention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof asmodifications and variations thereof may be made without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A frame assembly for outlining an opening in a cabinet or the likecomprising rectangularly disposed frame members including a pair ofopposed end jamb members and a pair of opposed side members whereby theadjacent ends of the said rectangularly disposed members are spacedapart, each of said members being defined by a web having a laterallydisposed flange extending outwardly from said web along the rearlongitudinal edge thereof, and a front facing extending laterally toeither side of said web along the front longitudinal edge thereof, eachof said side members having a guide rail connected to said web portionbetween the longitudinal edges thereof, the guide rail of the respectiveside members being disposed along the inner surface of the respectiveside members, each of said jamb members having a jamb rail connected tothe respective web portions thereof, said jamb rails and side railsbeing co-planarly disposed in the assembled position of said framemembers, a corner piece disposed between the adjacent ends of said sideand jamb members to define a corner junction thereat, said corner piecebeing coextensive in width to the web portion of the adjacent members,said corner piece including an arcuate web portion, end flangesconnected to the ends of said arcuate web portion, said arcuate webportion defining a rounded corner at juncture of said frame members,said corner pieces each having an ar-' cuate rail portion connecting therail portion of said adjacent side and end frame members, and meansfrictionally interlocking the respective corner piece between adjacentside and end frame members, said latter means including a groove formedin said rail portions of the adjacent side and end frame members, andeach of said corner pieces having projecting lugs extending outwardlyfrom the arcuate rail portions thereof and received in the grooves ofthe adjacent side and end frame members.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said flanges of therespective corner pieces are formed with a recessed shoulder receivingthe flange portion of the adjacent frame members.

3. A frame assembly for outlining an opening in a cabinet or the likecomprising rectangularly disposed frame members including a pair ofopposed end jamb members and a pair of opposed side members whereby theadjacent ends of the said rectangularly disposed members are spacedapart, each of said members being defined by a web having a laterallydisposed flange extending outwardly from said web along a longitudinaledge thereof, and a front facing extending laterally to either side ofsaid Web along the other longitudinal edge thereof, each of said sidemembers having a guide rail connected to said web portion between thelongitudinal edges thereof, the guide rails of the respective sidemembers being disposed along the inner surface of the respective sidemembers, said guide rails being substantially coextensive the length ofsaid side members, the respective guide rails of said side membershaving a groove formed therein, each of said jamb members having a jambrail connected to the respective web portions thereof, said jamb railsand side rails being co-planarly disposed in the assembled position ofsaid frame members, said jamb rails having a groove formed therein, acorner piece disposed between the adjacent ends of said side and jambmembers to define a corner junction thereat, said corner piece beingcoextensive in width to the web portion of the adjacent members, endflanges connected to the ends of each corner piece which are co-planarlydisposed with respect to the flange and front facing of the respectiveframe members, each of said corner pieces having an arcuate innersurface to define a rounded corner at juncture of said frame members,said corner pieces having an arcuate rail portion connecting the guiderails of said adjacent side and end frame members, and meansfrictionally interlocking the respective corner piece between adjacentside and end frame members.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said latter means includeprojecting lugs formed on each of said corner pieces received in thegroove defined in the respective rail portions of said adjacent side andend frame members.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 714,310Great Britain June 20, 1952

1. A FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR OUTLINING AN OPENING IN A CABINET OR THE LIKECOMPRISING RECTANGULARLY DISPOSED FRAME MEMBERS INCLUDING A PAIR OFOPPOSED END JAMB MEMBERS AND A PAIR OF OPPOSED SIDE MEMBERS WHEREBY THEADJACENT ENDS OF THE SAID RECTANGULARLY DISPOSED MEMBERS ARE SPACEDAPART, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS BEING DEFINED BY A WEB HAVING A LATERALLYDISPOSED FLANGE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID WEB ALONG THE REARLONGITUDINAL EDGE THEREOF, AND A FRONT FACING EXTENDING LATERALLY TOEITHER SIDE OF SAID WEB ALONG THE FRONT LONGITUDINAL EDGE THEREOF, EACHOF SAID SIDE MEMBERS HAVING A GUIDE RAIL CONNECTED TO SAID WEB PORTIONBETWEEN THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES THEREOF, THE GUIDE RAIL OF THE RESPECTIVESIDE MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED ALONG THE INNER SURFACE OF THE RESPECTIVESIDE MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID JAMB MEMBERS HAVING A JAMB RAIL CONNECTED TOTHE RESPECTIVE WEB PORTIONS THEREOF, SAID JAMB RAILS AND SIDE RAILSBEING CO-PLANARLY DISPOSED IN THE ASSEMBLED POSITION OF SAID FRAMEMEMBERS, A CORNER PIECE DISPOSED BETWEEN THE ADJACENT ENDS OF SAID SIDEAND JAMB MEMBERS TO DEFINE A CORNER JUNCTION THEREAT, SAID CORNER PIECEBEING COEXTENSIVE IN WIDTH TO THE WEB PORTION OF THE ADJACENT MEMBERS,SAID CORNER PIECE INCLUDING AN ARCUATE WEB PORTION, END FLANGESCONNECTED TO THE ENDS OF SAID ARCUATE WEB PORTION, SAID ARCUATE WEBPORTION DEFINING A ROUNDED CORNER AT JUNCTURE OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS,SAID CORNER PIECES EACH HAVING AN ARCUATE RAIL PORTION CONNECTING THERAIL PORTION OF SAID ADJACENT SIDE AND END FRAME MEMBERS, AND MEANSFRICTIONALLY INTERLOCKING THE RESPECTIVE CORNER PIECE BETWEEN ADJACENTSIDE AND END FRAME MEMBERS, SAID LATTER MEANS INCLUDING A GROOVE FORMEDIN SAID RAIL PORTIONS OF THE ADJACENT SIDE AND END FRAME MEMBERS, ANDEACH OF SAID CORNER PIECES HAVING PROJECTING LUGS EXTENDING OUTWARDLYFROM THE ARCUATE RAIL PORTIONS THEREOF AND RECEIVED IN THE GROOVES OFTHE ADJACENT SIDE AND END FRAME MEMBERS.